as was not from the beginning of the world to this time: no, nor ever shall be. Matt. xxiv. 21. The chief cause of these uncommon calamities, which Jofephus fo amply verifies, was their rejecting the Meffiah, the Lord of life; the prophet, whom God raised up to them, like unto Mofes, and in whofe mouth he put his words. Who came to them, as they had requested, not in the terrors of Horeb, but in a milder courfe of miracles, yet of greater efficacy; by which his mission was manifeftly declared. Thefe were attended with instances of the greatest goodness, and compaffion; of grace and truth; and the most consummate virtue, without the least allay. But they defpifed his virtues; and thewed an inveteracy to his person, and an obdurate hatred of his miniftry. His miracles were not performed out of oftentation, and as a mere display of power. On the contrary they were always neceflary, and pertinent; and proceeded from the greatest benevolence, and good-will towards thofe, for whofe fake he laboured. But the malignant Jews, contrary to conviction, ascribed them all to the powers of darkness; to Beel zebub zebub the prince of the devils. And after a long course of perfecution, and ingratitude, they at last accomplished their infernal defigns, and crucified the Lord of life. In confequence of this all thofe accumulated evils came upon them; fuch as no nation, either before, or after, suffered. Our blessed Saviour, as we have fhewn, foresaw them, and foretold their approach. And though he had experienced such baseness and ingratitude, and was further to fubmit to their cruelty; yet he overlooked his own sufferings, and with unparalleled compassion wept over their city, which was fo foon to be brought to ruin. Verily, fays our Saviour—all these things fhall come upon the prefent generation. O, Jerufalem, Jerufalem, thou that killeft the prophets, and ftoneft them, which are fent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as an hen gathereth ber chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Behold your house is left unto you defolate: for I fay unto you, ye shall not henceforth (after I am once departed) fee me more, till ye fhall fay-Blessed is he, that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matt. xxiii. 36, 7, 8, 9.. D 3 St. St. Luke mentions the fame, or a fimilar, circumstance, when our Saviour's foft feelings and tender compaffion for this unfortunate people were fhewn; and when he more plainly intimated the manner of their ruin by the Romans. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it: Jaying, if thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things, that belong to thy peacebut now they are bid from thine eyes. For the day shall come upon thee, that thine enemies fball caft a trench about thee, and compass thee round; and keep thee in on every fide: and Shall lay thee even with the ground; and thy children within thee: and shall not leave in thee one ftone upon another, because thou knewest not the time of thy vifitation: nor did they know the Prophet, who visited them. Luke xix. 41, &c.-Thefe judgments came very. foon upon this devoted people, who filled up their measure of iniquity by crucifying the Meffiah Prince, the Prophet raised up by God like to Mofes. Jerufalem was foon after furrounded with armies, the people perished by thousands through peftilence, and famine and after a series of calamities, fuch fuch as no nation ever experienced before, they were totally subdued, and their kingdom ruined. The numbers that perished during the fiege, and from the infurrections, which enfued, are by Jofephus, and other writers, estimated at far more than a million of fouls. But the manner of their deaths, as related, was worse than death itself. Of the Difperfion of the Jewish Nation. But this is not all. They were, according to the prophecy of Moses, to be scattered among all nations; and they were to become an aflonishment, a proverb, and a by-word among all nations, whither the Lord should lead them. Deut. iv. 27. xxviii. 37. Το their obedience all things were promised; but upon their neglect and rebellion, the feverest punishment was denounced. But it fhall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments, and his ftatutes, &c. * See the Chronology of Archb. Ufher, p. 652. According to him the numbers were 1,337,490. Ꭰ Ꮞ . the the Lord fhall cause thee to be fmitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee feven ways before them, and fhalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.The Lord fhall fmite thee with madnefs, and blindness, and astonishment of heart. Deut. xxviii. 15-25-28. These threats took place in fome degree, when the ten tribes were carried into captivity by Salmanezer, who placed them in the cities of Affyria, and of the Medes: and also, when Judea was not long after fubdued by the Babylonians, and the people tranfplanted to Chaldea, and other countries. But above all, they were compleated, when Jerufalem was taken by the Romans under Titus Vefpafian; at which time the people experienced an univerfal removal, and became fcattered into very diftant countries; and are to be found at this day in a state of exile, amid a variety of nations; few in number comparatively in respect to those nations; but sufficient, if collected, to form a mighty empire. Of this last captivity our Saviour gave warning, and counselled his disciples to flee from the evils which were at hand.-When ye shall fee Jerufalem compaffed with armies, then know, that |